Both Men and Women Saluqis to Compete for
National Crown; Sweep of Region VII Tournament is a First for TJCCAA

The men's and women's basketball teams at Southwest
Tennessee Community College added another impressive chapter to their
Winning Tradition Sunday, March 11, by capturing the Tennessee
Junior/Community College Athletic Association (TJCCAA) Region VII
Tournament in Dyersburg, Tennessee. In claiming the Region VII
championship, both the men and women Saluqis earned berths in the National
Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Championship Tournament. This
marks the first time in the history of the TJCCAA that both the men's and
women's titles were won by the same college. Continuing the Winning
Tradition at STCC is the theme for the 2000-2001 Basketball Saluqis. The
NJCAA Men's Championship Tournament is set for March 20-24 in Hutchinson,
Kansas. The NJCAA Women's Tournament has the same dates in Salina, Kansas.

Verties Sails, men's head basketball coach at STCC,
earned his second consecutive trip to the NJCAA Championship Tournament
when his Saluqis defeated Columbia State 100-82. Andrea Martre, women's
head basketball coach for the College, is making her first trip to the
NJCAA Women's Tournament, thanks to her team's 82-71 victory over
Chattanooga State. The men finished with a 22-6 record overall and 8-2 in
the TJCCAA. The women recorded an impressive 21-7, 6-2 mark.

Freshman Devon Buckley led the men Saluqis with 44
points, which included 14 three-point goals. Buckley was honored for his
solid play in the Region VII tourney by being named the Most Valuable
Player and earning a spot on the All-Tournament Team.

Sophomore guard Marlon Walls also made the
All-Tournament Team. His other honors include All-TJCCAA West Division
Team, West Division Player of the Year and Conference Co-Player of the
Year. Freshman Lou Wright was also named to the All-TJCCAA West Division
Team.

Coach Sails' career record with the Saluqis is now
486-183. Last year, he guided his team to third place in the NJCAA
tourney. His 1997-1998 squad captured second place in national
championship play.

The Lady Saluqis received outstanding play from Amie
Williams and Nikkia Jones in defeating Chattanooga State for the Women's
Region VII Championship. Jones led the Lady Saluqis with 26 points.
Williams had 18 points, 18 rebounds and 11 blocked shots. Williams was
named Women's Most Valuable Player and to the All-Tournament Team. Her
other honors include TJCAA All-Conference Team and All-TJCAA West Division
Team. Jones also was named to the All-Tournament Team and All-TJCCAA West
Division. Larisha Graves was named All-TJCCAA Conference Team and All-TJCCAA
West Division.

Torre Thomas was also named to the All-TJCCAA West
Division squad.

Southwest Tennessee
Community College is a Tennessee Board of Regents institution.